This dataset consists of video transect images (TIF files) from CRAMP surveys taken in 2003 at 15 sites, some of which had multiple depths. Estimates of substrate type, rugosity, species type, and percent coverage will be provided to the NOAA data system within a separate data set. The video images are important for future researchers to resolve any question about how the image data were interpreted for the quantitative database, to provide the opportunity to re-analyze the images using other methods, and to return to the same locations for future comparisons.

Purpose:

To understand the ecology of Hawaiian coral reefs in relation to other geographic areas and to monitor change at each given site.CRAMP experimental design allows detection of changes that can be attributed to various factors such as:overuse (over-fishing, anchor damage, aquarium trade collection, etc.), sedimentation, nutrient loading,catastrophic natural events (storm wave impact, lavaflows), coastal construction, urbanization, global warming(bleaching), introduced species, algal invasions, and fish and invertebrate diseases.The emphasis of the program is on the major problems facing Hawaiian coral reefs as listed by managers and reef scientists during workshops and meetings held in Hawaii (1997-1998). These are: over-fishing, sedimentation, eutrophication, and algal outbreaks. CRAMP experimental design gives priority to areas where baseline data relevant to these issues were previously collected. Transect dimensions, number of replicates, and methods of evaluation have been selected to detect changes with statistical confidence. Standard techniques include the establishment of permanent transects to quantify fish, coral, algae, and invertebrates at study sites.CRAMP researchers are quantifying changes that have occurred on coral reefs subjected to varying degrees of fishing pressure, sedimentation,eutrophication, and algal growth and are conducting experimental work in order to test hypotheses concerning the role of these environmental factors in the ecology of coral reefs. We are also in the process of resurveying,updating and integrating existing ecological information on an array of coralreefs that have been designated as areas of concern or, "hot spots," by managers and scientists.

NOAA and NODC would appreciate recognition as the resource from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Dr. Paul Jokiel

Contact_Organization:

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
University of Hawaii

Contact_Position: Principal Investigator

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address

Address: P.O. Box 1346

City: Kaneohe

State_or_Province: Hawaii

Postal_Code: 96744

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-236-7440

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:jokiel@hawaii.edu

Data_Set_Credit:

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service United States Geological Survey State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Program Limahuli National Botanical Garden Save Our Seas

Native_Data_Set_Environment: JPEG files, 4.1 Gigabytes.

Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report: see Lineage - Process Step

Completeness_Report: 100%

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: E. Brown

Originator: E. Cox

Originator: B. Tissot

Originator: K. Rodgers

Originator: W. Smith

Publication_Date: 1999

Title:

Evaluation of benthic sampling methods considered for the Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) in Hawaii

Sample program design and environmental impactassessment on coral reef

Series_Information:

Series_Name: Proc 8th International Coral Reef Symposium

Issue_Identification: 2: 1459-1464.

Type_of_Source_Media: paper

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Friedlander and Parrish, 1998

Source_Contribution: Habitat characteristics

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Mark McCormick

Publication_Date: 1997

Title:

Comparison of field methods for measuring surfacetopography and their associations with a tropical reef fish assemblage

Series_Information:

Series_Name: Marine Ecology Progress Series

Issue_Identification: 112: 87-96

Type_of_Source_Media: paper

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: McCormick, 1997

Source_Contribution: Comparison of field methods for measuring surfacetopography

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: R. H. Green

Originator: S. R. Smith

Publication_Date: 1997

Title:

Sample program design and environmental impactassessment on coral reef

Series_Information:

Series_Name: Proc 8th International Coral Reef Symposium

Issue_Identification: 2: 1459-1464

Type_of_Source_Media: paper

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: Unknown

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Green and Smith, 1997

Source_Contribution:

Sample program design and environmental impactassessment on coral reef

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

CRAMP Protocol - One of the major objectives of the CRAMP program during the first year was to establish a sampling protocol that could detect change in coral cover over time with sufficient statistical power (P>0.8). The first step involved the evaluation of historical methods to determine if any of these procedures could be incorporated into the CRAMP protocol. After careful analysis it was determined that only the fixed photoquadrats utilized by Dr. Steve Coles at Bishop Museum had sufficient power. The method, which samples a relatively small area, is suitable to address small-scale questions on coral growth, recruitment and mortality, but inference on general reef condition is difficult across broader sections of reef. The second step involved soliciting input from colleagues conducting coralreef monitoring programs in the Florida Keys and the Great Barrier Reef. Their general recommendation was to use digital video to sample coral cover over large areas of the reef. Before we could implement their designs, however, we had to evaluate the appropriateness of these techniques for Hawai`i. The following parameters in the sampling design were determined in the third step: 1. Repeatability and appropriate length of the transects using different methods 2. Observer variation within different methods 3. Number of points per frame to analyze 4. Number of frames per transect to analyze 5. Number of transects per depth to sample 6. Random versus fixed transects 7. Time and monetary considerations to optimize sampling design. The results of this evaluation were presented at the National Coral Reef Institute Conference in Florida and are summarized by the CRAMP research team(Brown, et al. 1999). Repeatability and appropriate transect length were tested using photoquadrats on a transect line sampled over a short time interval. Shorter transects of 10m were found to have higher precision(Ability to replicate quadrats on a transect) than transects of 25m and 50m. Photoquadrats produced similar results to visual estimation techniques, regardless of observer, but neither method yielded satisfactory precision. Digital video was evaluated at Hanauma Bay, Oahu over 2 time intervals separated by 84 days. It was assumed that overall coral cover would not change dramatically during this time period. Power curves were constructed using methods described by Zar (1999) for detecting a 10% change in coral cover across 2 time periods (Figure 1). Number of frames was more important in increasing power than number of points though the difference was not substantial. This is primarily due to the fact that more frames sample a larger portion of the habitat, which incorporates more of the heterogeneity of the substrate. A sample size of 10 transects per site appeared to be adequate for characterizing the coral cover using a power value of 0.8 set as a convention by Cohen (1988). Fixed transects were chosen over random for several reasons. First, it is difficult to properly implement a randomized protocol for transect placement without a map of benthic habitats that is geo-referenced. At present this does not exist for the state of Hawai`i. Second, the majority of the historical data uses fixed transect locations so integrating the current protocol with previous work will be simpler. Third, after the initial random setup the fixed transects should be easier to resample, thus reducing preparation time and ultimately costs to generate the random grid for subsequent transect measurements (Green and Smith, 1997). Fourth, randomized sampling of transects will have difficulty in detecting change in coral cover if reefs change dramatically over time. This is because the random protocol measures inherent spatial variation at each sampling period, which adds variance associated with spatial heterogeneity of the reef rather than changes or patterns that are time-related (Green and Smith, 1997). Fifth, using a repeated measures ANOVA design with fixed transects can provide additional information on population and community structure that is difficult to obtain with random transects (Hughes, 1996; Connell et al.1997). Sixth, the time and cost complications with random transects are not worth the broader inference about reef "condition" especially if the fixed transects are representative of habitat variation (Andy Taylor, personalcommunication). Finally, interpreting results from fixed transects is much easier for the general public and resource managers to comprehend than using a randomized sampling design. Time and monetary constraints were examined to determine the optimum sampling protocol. The analysis revealed that digital video collected more data per unit time than visual estimation, planar point intercept and photoquadrats. It was the most expensive option considered at $5,500 for the system but since field time underwater is the principal limiting factor then the quantity of field data collected outweighs the expense. In addition, digital video and photoquadrats also enable archiving of the data for laterre-analysis to address additional questions. Based on the results from the evaluation procedure we have selected 2 methods to address changes in overall coral cover and growth, recruitment and mortality of benthic organisms. Digital video will be used to measure changes in coral cover by initially selecting at random, ten permanent (fixed)transects at 2 depths (3m and 10m). Each transect will be 10m in length and analyzed using 20 randomly selected video frames with 50 randomly selectedpoints per frame. Frequency of sampling will be once a year at each site. This should be sufficient to detect a 10% change in coral cover over time with high statistical power across of variety of habitats in Hawai`i. The second method will employ fixed photoquadrats to examine trends of individual organisms with regards to growth, recruitment and mortality. Five haphazardly selected photoquadrats at each depth contour will be established with 4 pins at each corner to ensure accurate repositioning of the frame. The frame dimension will sample 0.33 m2 of the substrate at a height of 0.5m from the bottom. Images of sessile organisms will be traced and digitized for 2D estimates of aerial coverage. Sampling will be scheduled once a year at each site in concordance with the digital video surveys. Site Survey Protocol Two types of protocol are utilized by CRAMP: Monitoring Protocol and Assessment Protocol. This submission to NOAA only includes data taken using the Monitoring Protocol. The Assessment Protocol is simply an abbreviated version of the Monitoring Protocol. The Assessment Protocol is a rapid method that is most useful for describing spatial relationships. The Assessment Protocol lacks the statistical power of the Monitoring Protocol to detect change in the benthos. The Assessment Protocol is a more cost-effective method for answering certain questions on the status of coral reefs. Monitoring Protocol - General Description Installing the fixed monitoring sites is a process that was generally completed by a team of six divers during a single dive. All primary sites have been installed. The initial monitoring of a given site was generally initiated at some time after installation. More detail on installation is discussed under the section on Benthic Monitoring. Upon reaching an established monitoring site a number of tasks must be performed. CRAMP generally surveys one site (3 m and 10 m transect locations at each site) per day with a team of 6 divers. The deeper site is surveyed in the morning, the shallow site in the afternoon after a proper surface interval. The beginning of the transect is located by visual lineups and/or GPS by skindivers and marked with a dive flag to alert boaters of our presence and enable quick location by the divers. Subsequent SCUBA teams entering the water take materials needed for the survey (spooled transect tapes, rugosity chain, video camera, photo-quadrat apparatus, extra marker pins, etc) and deposit the material near the start of the transect for use by the teams during the dive. The first SCUBA team to enter the water consists of two divers: the person doing the fish survey and a back-up diver who stays within visual range and photographs the fixed photo-quadrats as the fish survey proceeds. Estimates of fish species richness, abundance, and biomass are taken before the benthic transect lines are laid out so as to sample a relatively undisturbed habitat. The standard CRAMP fish transect is taken along a depth contour within the CRAMP grid of benthic transects, and consists of four, 5x25m transects that are separated by 5m. The scientist doing the fish survey counts fish while deploying a 25 m line behind him/her. As the survey proceeds, two more SCUBA divers enter the water. One of the pair starts video taping the replicate benthic transects while the second deploys the transect tapes and records species information on the corals/algae located along each transect for later reference. The third team of two divers follows the video transect team and measures rugosity under the replicate transects. Upon completion of the fish transect, the first dive team completes the photo-quadrats. As other teams complete their work they return to the start of the transect and begin taking up the transect tapes. During the survey, various divers complete additional functions. These include taking sediment samples, stabilizing or replacing lose transectpins, routine photography of organisms, description of habitats, making algae collections or various activities. The same procedure is carried out at the shallow site during the afternoon. In addition, at various times of the day (depending on time availability) two members of the group will skin dive with a dive flag and water proof GPS unit while describing and recording habitat distribution throughout the study site for later mapping efforts. Benthic Monitoring - The basic unit for long term CRAMP monitoring is a 100 m x 3 m transect corridor that follows a depth contour. The transect is divided into a grid of 1 m intervals along its length by 0.5 m intervals along its width. Stainless steel pins are driven along the length of the central line or "spine" (shown in yellow on diagram below) to serve as the reference point for installation of the 10 transects and five photoquadrats. The spine pins are marked by slipping a short length of plastic tubing over the pin to identify the pin as a "spine" pin. In addition, the first spine pin (0 m)is marked with a single cable tie, the fifth pin (50 m) is marked with two cable ties and the tenth pin (100 m) is marked with three cable ties. Video Transect Method: 1. Field Recording Data are taken using a Sony DCR-TRV900 Mini DV camcorder enclosed in an Amphibico VHDB0900 Dive Buddy Housing. During early 2000 we added a Quest Aqua-Lite dual head U/W video light system. The videographer follows the following procedure: While on the surface, the diver videotapes the landmark "line-ups" used to locate the site. These serve to identify the tape if there is any question of proper labeling. Also, the images can be frame-grabbed and subsequently printed and laminated for use when relocating the site. In many cases the use of landmarks is faster and more convenient than using the GPS position to relocate the transect site. The diver then goes to the bottom and videotapes a full 360 degree panorama of the site as part of the permanent video record. The diver proceeds to the start of the first 10 mtransect and records the transect number on the video through use of handsignals in front of the camera (number of fingers representing transect no.). The videographer then moves slowly (4 min per transect) along the 10 mtransect while videotaping the bottom at a distance of 0.5 m. Initially a rod attached to the camera was used to insure proper distance from the bottom. This has been replaced with two small underwater lasers that cross at 0.5 m, allowing the videographer to hold the distance constant by keeping an overlap on the two red laser dots. Each of the 10 transects along the 100m spine line is recorded in this manner. One digital videotape (1 hour tape)is used to capture 10 transects. 2. Laboratory Data Analysis (provided as a separate dataset)Each transect is 10 m in length. Twenty randomly selected, non-overlapping video frames are selected and processed using PointCount 99 software to develop estimates for coral and substrate types. The statistical data analysis includes a repeated measures ANOVA design with nesting of transects in depth where frames per transect are treated as sub-samples along a transect. The video tape is played back on a computer using PhotoShop with the plug-in Photo DV to grab frames. Each transect video consists of approximately 7500-9000 frames. Sequential overlapping frames that form a complete 10 m transect are captured onto the hard disk in JPEG file format. The 10 transects consisting of ~50-60 images per transect are written to a CD-ROM. Twenty randomly non-overlapping frames per transect are selected and analyzed with Point Count99. PointCount99 generates 50 randomly located points on the screen. The observer records the proper category under each of the 50 points. PointCount99 writes a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file that is generic text and readily available for a variety of programs. This CSV file is imported into MS-Excel for proofreading. After proofreading the CSVfile is imported into MS-Access for storage into the CRAMP database.

NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NODC cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data, nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system.